William Joseph Back Pack Fishing Vest combo

I recently purchased the William Joseph back pack/fishing vest combo called the Exodus. None of the local fly shops had it in stock so my purchase was based on the description and photo’s. Lesson, always try before purchase.

Now that I have had the chance to use the system I find the pack to be an excellent choice, my only wish is that the hydration bladder was located between the frame and pack instead of in the pack. There is plenty of room and it would not interfere with your back or ventilation. The hydration bladder does not come with the pack and costs a few bucks extra. The things I like about the pack is it has plenty of room and has a frame that keeps the pack a few inches from your back allowing for ventilation and plenty of comfort.

The pack and vest can be separated with the click of a few buckles. This is great because fishing with the vest and pack is some what uncomfortable. Speaking of uncomfortable, the vest is when worn by itself. It only has a narrow strap around your neck which bothered me after the first hour. I found the pockets to be adequate but the ones on the front could have been larger, my fly boxes didn’t fit and I had to find some smaller ones. The vest is made of heavy material like the pack, I think it should have been made of light weight material to reduce it’s bulk, it just seemed to always be in my way while fishing.

If you are a large guy and/or overweight a little the vest seems to protrude way out in front of you, not good for walking over rocks. I also found that any time your leader or tippet gets close to the vest they get snagged in the zippers, very troublesome. By now you probably are thinking I don’t like the vest……I don’t, at all.

The back pack is great. I would feel comfortable doing an overnight using the pack and light weight back packing sleeping bag and tent, the vest would stay home.

My solution is to give the system to a member of my staff to use and let us know what he thinks. After all I can always have him carry all the extra gear in the pack for both of us.

Ed@fishingeuphoria.com

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